Leak localizing using a combination of penetrating devices and barriers

ABSTRACT

What is disclosed is a method of localizing leaks in roof structures and novel penetrating devices utilized for that purpose. Also disclosed are methods of manufacturing roof structures and methods of repairing roofs. The penetrating devices also have the capability of leak detection when used in conjunction with a barrier layer in a roof structure.

This invention deals with a method of localizing leaks in a roof systemutilizing a combination of penetrating devices and air or water barrierswherein the penetrating devices, in some cases, can also be useful forsecuring roof structures, especially laminar type roof structureswherein an integral, obstensibly an airproof or waterproof covering isused as part of the laminar structure. These penetrating devices areuseful primarily in roofs having a metal supporting deck, but can beused in all roof assemblies wherein the penetrating device can justsimply act as a leak localizer without having to perform the function offastening.

More specifically, this invention deals with a unique method oflocalizing leaks in roofing systems which allows the detection of suchleaks with a certain preciseness by using the penetrating devices ofthis invention as points of reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Flat decks account for approximately 50% or more of the roofing marketfor large industrial and commercial buildings which quite typically haveflat or near flat roof surfaces. These roof surfaces generally aremulti-layered, that is, they generally have in combination a roofsupporting structure which is surmounted by a deck, and at least onelayer of air or water impermeable membrane (barrier film or layer),thermal insulation, usually in plank form, and generally a ballastlayer. These types of roofs tend to be economical and function quitewell as long as there is no break in the water-impermeable membrane.Once the water-impermeable membrane is broken, water enters the roofsystem and seeps and runs randomly, and laterally between the variouslayers, soaking the roofing materials and the water eventually entersthe interior of the building at points with no obvious relationship tothe break in the water barrier layer. When this happens, the roof mustbe repaired, but often, one cannot detect where the membrane is brokenand hence cannot effectively undertake repairs.

Commensurate with the leak problem is the desire to prevent excess airfrom moving from the interior of the building into the roof assembly andgetting beneath the water-impermable membrane which could lead to windblow off of the roof system. Therefore, it is desirable to have some airescape from inside the roof assembly to the exterior. Thus, it would bedesirable to have a system for allowing a limited amount of water topass downward, and only a limited amount of air to move upward. It wouldalso be most desirable to limit the amount of water and air withoutcompromising the holding capabilities of a penetrating device in thosecases where the leak localizers of the instant invention are alsofasteners. Having the above described capabilities of holding down roofshas the benefit of lowering the costs of the installation of such roofs.Thus, it would be a benefit if the system used to localize and detectleaks in the roof could act as a more or less permanent system to alsohold down the roof system.

The inventive devices of this invention work in combination with thebarrier layers on the roof to provide a leak detection system for theroof, that is, the benefit of the devices of the instant invention canonly be realized if there is present above the surface of the deck, awater or air barrier film or layer. Such benefit will become apparent inthe detailed discussion regarding the invention set forth below.

One object of the instant invention is to provide a penetrating devicein combination with a barrier layer in a lamellar roof assembly that canbe used as a means of localizing leaks in a lamellar roof system byallowing water to accumulate in specific localities in the lamellae ofthe roof and to allow limited amounts of water to pass from thataccumulation in any lamellae of the roof system downwardly, and afurther object of this invention is to provide a means of localizingleaks that will allow for the passage of only a limited amount of airfrom the interior to the roof assembly which is then allowed to passthrough the roof system to the outside.

It is another object of the instant invention is to provide the simplestmechanism possible to provide the maximum holddown to maintain a decksystem by a fastener.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide a method ofmanufacturing and repairing roofs such that the roof is susceptible ofhaving localization of water from leaks in the water impermeablemembranes, and is susceptible of having leak detection capabilities.

It should be noted that the devices and methods of this invention areespecially useful for re-roofing over old lamellar roof systems becauseit allows one to re-insulate right over the old roof and use the devicesof the instant invention for either leak detection, or fastening thewhole into place over the old roof and then applying an integralwater-impermeable membrane over the new insulation. This system allowsone to re-roof a building without tearing into the old roof while usingthe old roof barriers as the barrier layer in the instant method.

The basic concept of the penetrating devices of the instant invention inorder to be useful in the methods described herein is to have an openingfrom the upper layers of the roof assembly through the roof deckprovided by the device. This opening can be between a hole that runsthrough the roof assembly into and through the supporting deck, and theeffective diameter of the shank of such a penetrating device or it caninclude a device that has an opening through its long axis that runsfrom the device's uppermost end to the extreme lower end of the device.

For example, the diameter of the cutting point for a self-tapping screwand the shank diameter, and the thread diameters, can be adjusted toallow an opening between the hole in the deck and the shank of the screwto allow passage of limited amounts of water and air while adjusting thethread diameter and the hole in the deck diameter to provide securementor, in the case of a device of this invention where fastening is notrequired, the shaft of such a device simply has a groove or cut(opening) running the length of the shaft of the device, or yet, anotherembodiment of the openings in the devices of this invention is thedevice which has a center bore from its topmost end to the lower mostend.

The self-tapping screws described above are called piercing screws,owing to the fact that they do not usually require pre-drilled holes foruse because they pierce the metal deck of the roof and make their ownhole for entry. These screws generally have threads along the most ofthe entire length of their shanks which assist the screw in maintainingit's position in the metal deck, i.e. the threads are designed to securethe screw.

Metal decks are normally twenty-two gauge steel and primarily, metalscrews which are used to hold down roof systems are manufactured out ofvarious metal alloys in an attempt to provide strength along with theself-tapping capabilities, and provide some corrosion resistance,generally by coating the screws prior to use, or by manufacturing thescrews from special metal alloys. The penetrating devices are generallystronger than the substrate to which they are applied. Failure of thesedevices occurs in the pull-out from the substrate rather thandestruction of the screw itself, which screws are nominally 1/8 to 1/4of an inch in diameter for most roof systems, 3/16 being the mostpreferred. A weakness of a roof system that is frequently observed is atthe top side where the materials, such as insulation, or roofingmembranes, tear through the heads and washers of such devices causingthe materials to be torn off the top of the roof system. Theself-tapping characteristics of the screw means they can be installed inone operation, that is, the entire roof system is laid down in itsmultiple layers, and then fastened with a pattern of the screw typedevices by penetrating from the top layer and forcing the screw throughthe roof deck for securing the entire roof system.

Penetrating devices having the configuration of anchor bolts are alsogenerally known which consist of a bolt or stem which is threaded, has acap or head portion on one end, and an expandable nut or toggle on theopposite end whereby after insertion through a preformed opening, thenut or toggle is twisted on the threaded bolt or stem and expands as thedevice is tightened up from above the roof to secure the materialsbetween them. These toggle bolt type of penetrating devices are alsouseful in the fastening of roofs and for leak detection in that theirthreaded shanks can be continuously cut to give the same effect as thatfound in the metal devices of the instant invention.

Yet another type of penetrating device is a device which is simply ahollow plug, manufactured from plastic or metal, whose primary functionwould be as a leak localizer, without any fastening capabilityassociated with the device. Thus, the primary function of such a plugwould be to control the passage of moisture from the top of the plug, tothe interior of the building, by having a hollow tube of a certaindiameter to control the flow.

Thus, almost any penetrating device can be used in the instantinvention, provided it has a water leak capability, and in the caseswhere fastening is required, it has fastening capabilities.

THE INVENTION

Therefore, in one aspect, this invention deals with a method oflocalizing leaks in a roof assembly having at least one barrier, themethod comprising placing a penetrating device through the roof assemblysuch that the penetrating device breaches a roof deck supporting theroof, said device having an elongated shank and at least one opening inthe shank, said opening extending continuously from the top end of thedevice through the lower end of the device.

In another aspect of this invention there is provided a method oflocalizing leaks in a roof assembly having at least one barrier, themethod comprising placing a penetrating device through the roof assemblysuch that the penetrating device breaches a roof deck supporting theroof, said device having an elongated shank and at least one opening inthe shank, said opening extending continuously from a point short of thetop of the device through the lower end of the device.

Yet another aspect of this invention deals with a method ofmanufacturing multiple layered roofs having leak detection capabilities,the method comprising the steps of (I) providing a roof support means;(II) surmounting the roof support means with a roof deck; (III)providing a roof system by (a) surmounting the roof deck with a waterimpermeable membrane, said membrane having a generally flat surfacecoextensive with the roof deck and, a layer of thermal insulation; (IV)securing the roof system to the roof deck utilizing penetrating devicesthat breach the roof deck, including at least one penetrating devicehaving an elongated shank and at least one opening in the shank, saidopening extending continuously from the top end of the device throughthe lower end of the device.

Still another aspect of this invention is a method of manufacturingmultiple layered roofs having leak detection capabilities, the methodcomprising the steps of (I) providing a roof support means; (II)surmounting the roof support means with a roof deck; (III) providing aroof system by (a) surmounting the roof deck with a water impermeablemembrane, said membrane having a generally flat surface coextensive withthe roof deck and, a layer of thermal insulation; (IV) securing the roofsystem to the roof deck utilizing penetrating devices that breach theroof deck, including at least one penetrating device having an elongatedshank and at least one opening in the shank, said opening extendingcontinuously from a point short of the top of the device through thelower end of the device.

There is also provided a method of repairing roofs comprising overlayingan existing roof with a new roof using at least one device as disclosedand claimed herein.

There is further provided a method of detecting leaks in a roof, themethod comprising observing the presence of water, if any, on theunderside of a roof deck wherein at least one device of the instantinvention has been utilized.

This invention further provides a novel penetrating device for roofassemblies, said device having an elongated shank and at least onecontinuous opening in the shank, said opening extending continuouslyfrom the top end of the device through the lower end of the device.

Also contemplated within the scope of this invention is a novelpenetrating device for roof assemblys, said device having an elongatedshank and at least one continuous opening in the shank, said openingextending continuously from a point short of the top of the devicethrough the lower end of the device.

Specifically, this invention comprises a penetrating device comprising atoggle bolt having a head surmounted by a lug; a threaded shank; anexpandable nut surrounding the threaded shank and having internalthreads that mate with the threads of the threaded shank and workintegrally therewith, said toggle bolt having at least one continuousopening through its threads and into its shank, said opening extendingfrom the lower end of the threaded shank distal to the head, to a pointshort of the head, said lug, head, and threaded shank being a unitarystructure.

Also specifically, this invention comprises a mechanical fastener forpiercing decks comprising a screw having a driveable head, a threadedshank, and a piercing lower end distal to the driveable head, said screwhaving at least one continuous opening in the shank, said openingextending continuously from the top end of the device through the lowerend of the device.

Also contemplated within the scope of this invention is a mechanicaldevice for piercing decks comprising a screw having a driveable head, athreaded shank, and a piercing lower end distal to the driveable headand at least one opening in the shank, said opening extendingcontinuously from a point short of the top of the device through thelower end of the device.

Yet another specific object of this invention is to provide a device forlocalizing water leaks in a roof system, said device comprising aunitary structure comprising a head surmounting a shank, said devicehaving at least one opening into and along its shank, said openingextending from the end of the shank distal to the head, to a point shortof the head.

And finally, there is specifically provided a device for localizingwater leaks in a roof system, said device comprising a unitary structurecomprising a head surmounting a shank, said device having at least oneopening into and along its shank, said opening extending the entirelength of the device, including through the head.

SUMMARY OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a sectional side view of a typical roof system where the roofis a new roof.

FIG. 2 is a sectional side view of a typical roof system where an oldroof is covered with a new roof.

FIG. 3A is a full side view of a penetration device of this inventionwhich is also a fastener, in a vertical position wherein the fastener isof the metal piercing type and showing a straight opening.

FIG. 3B is a full side view of a penetration device of this inventionwhich is also a fastener, in a vertical position wherein the fastener isof the metal piercing type and showing a spiral opening.

FIG. 4 is an end view of a penetrating device of this invention to showa straight continuous opening through both the threads and the shank.

FIG. 5 is a full side view of a penetrating device of this invention ina vertical position wherein the device is of the toggle bolt type.

FIG. 6 is a full side view of a device of this invention which is not afastener showing a full length vertical opening into and through thehead thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

As indicated above, this invention depends on a penetrating device withan opening which is used in conjunction with a barrier layer.

Thus, shown in FIG. 1 is a sectional side view of a typical roof systemwherein the roof deck 20 is shown as supporting the other layers of theroof such as a vapor barrier 21, insulation layer 22, and insulationlayer 23. For purposes of clarity, water barrier 24, insulation layer 25and ballast layer 26 are shown in an exploded view, it being understoodthat layers 24, 25, and 26 are normally associated intimately with andoverlay the lower layers. The insulation layers are usually laid down inplanks, which leaves open channels 31 between the planks, and thesechannels 31 can be taped as shown by the tape 32. Further, there isshown in FIG. 1, an illustrated break 27 in the water barrier 24,through which water 28 enters the roof system, it being understood thatthe barrier 24 is normally intended to keep such water out of the roofsystem. As illustrated, the water 28, once having breached the waterbarrier 24, can infiltrate the various layers of the roof system andsaturate it whereupon, when there is enough water collected at any givenbarrier level, such as at the surface of layer 23, the water 28 can runindiscriminately and laterally across that layer as shown by arrows 29,until it finds an entry to the layers below, and eventually, into theinterior of the building as shown by the arrows 30. There is furthershown in FIG. 1, several devices 33 as used in this invention, shown atvarious levels. It is important to note that the penetrating devices canbe used at any level just as long as they are used beneath the uppermost water barrier 24. Thus, device 33A is shown at the deck 20 level,device 33B is shown at the vapor barrier 21 level, device 33C is shownat the insulation layer 22 level, and device 33D is shown at theinsulation layer 23 level any one of which layers can operate to collectthe water 28 and localize it to the extent that it arrives at the deviceplaced at that layer. Illustrated in each of the devices 33 is anopening 6, in phantom, which will be discussed infra, suffice it tostate that the opening 6 is provided in this invention to allow the p 28from any given layer to the interior of the building and to allow air topass from the roof system to the upper surface of the roof where it ischanneled out from under the water barrier 24 by air vents which are notshown. Thus, any of the layers can provide a means for collecting water28 and funneling the water 28 to one of the devices 33, which allows thewater to pass to the interior of the building. When not filled withwater, the devices 33 allow the passage of air upward.

Turning now to FIG. 2, there is shown a sectional side view of a typicalroof system which has been repaired by covering the old roof system witha new roof using a barrier and devices 33 of this invention to provide ameans of localizing and detecting water that has leaked into the oldroof system. As in FIG. 1, FIG. 2 shows a roof deck 20, vapor barrier21, insulation layers 22 and 23, a water barrier 24, an insulation layer25, an additional water barrier 24', an additional insulation layer 25'and a ballast layer 26. There is also shown a break 27 in the upperwater barrier 24', water 28, devices 33 with openings 6 which have beenused to secure the new roof over the old roof. Thus, if water breaksthrough water barrier 24' as shown in FIG. 2, the water is effectivelycollected by the various layers and passed to the interior, it beingunderstood that the old water barrier 24 can act as a collecting andlocalizing layer in this system as well, it being understood that theroof deck can act as a collecting and localizing layer if it isconstructed of concrete.

One penetrating device of this invention comprises a screw 1 having adriveable head 2 which is shown in FIG. 3A as having a Phillips headindention 7 (in phantom), the type of drive slot not being critical asthe head could be a conventional straight screwdriver slot or ahexagonal nut configuration as well. The shank 3 has on its surface,threads 4, which secure the screw in the metal deck once a deck ispierced. The piercing is caused by the presence of a piercing head 5which is at the end of the shank 3 distal to the driveable head 2. Theessence of this device is the continuous opening 6 in the threads 4 andinto the shank 3. It is critical that the continuous opening 6 be deepenough that it cuts through the threads 4, and into the shank 3, becauseif the continuous opening 6 is not deeper than the threads 4, thethreads 4 will act to cut off both the flow of water downward and theflow of air upward. It is also contemplated by the inventor herein thatthe continuous opening could be spiral and between the threads until itreached the lower half of the shank, whereupon it would have to cutthrough the threads to be workable. Also, it is contemplated within thescope of this invention to use devices that have the continuous opening6 in the full length of the device, including into and through the headof the device. The driveable head 2, the shank 3, the piercing head 5,and the threads 4 are a unitary structure. The precise form of thecontinuous opening 6 is not critical, as long as it is continuous anddeep enough to go through the threads and into the shank and in somecases into the head as described herein and shown in FIG. 6. Such cutsfor example could be spiral, angular, straight, and there can be morethan one in each such screw. The method of forming the continuousopening is not critical. It can be formed by cutting, machining,forming, or the like.

When employed in securing roofs, the screw is driven, generally bymechanical means, through the various layers of a lamellar roofstructure, from the top, until it pierces the metal roof deck and seatsthe head tightly against the uppermost layer of the roof such that thehead undersurface 8 embraces the uppermost surface of the uppermostlayer being secured, it being understood that each of such surfaces arebelow the final water barrier membrane of the roof assembly.

With reference to FIG. 5, there is shown a toggle bolt type of devicecontemplated by the inventor herein wherein there is shown a toggle bolt10 having a head 11 which is surmounted by a lug 12. The lug 12 is usedto tighten and loosen the toggle bolt 10 when in use. Encircling theundersurface 17 of the head 11 is a gasket 18, which is optional but isgenerally used to prevent excess air leaks from the interior into theroof structure. Attached to the bottom side of the head 11 is a threadedshank threads are on the outer surface and fill nearly the entire lengthof the bolt 10. Shown surrounding the shank 13 is a rotatable andexpandable nut 16, which is threaded on its interior such that it'sthreads mate with and operate integrally with the outside threads 14 ofthe bolt 10. There is also shown a continuous opening 15 which has thesame attributes and configurations as that described above for thepiercing type of device. When in use, the metal deck of the roofstructure is appropriately dressed with the various layers forming theroof, and a hole is drilled in the desired spot, which hole extendsthrough the entire roof structure, including the metal roof deck. Withthe expandable nut 16 removed, and the gasket in place, the toggle bolt10 is dropped into the hole and the expandable nut is place on thethreaded end of the bolt and is twisted on the bolt from below the roof.The expandable nut is wedged into the hole to maintain it in astationary position as the bolt is twisted to tighten the toggle bolt tocompress the gasket. One must recognize that during its movementdownward through the layers of the roof, the screw will eventuallypierce one or more barrier layers, and with the toggle bolt, the drillwill also pass through these barrier layers. This layer acts as thecollection source on a relatively flat plane for any water entering theroof system from the upper surfaces. That is, when water penetrates theroof through a leak of some sort, the water will move downwardly untilit reaches a barrier layer, where it begins to move randomly andlaterally across the barrier layer until it finds an opening of somekind to use in its downward flow to the interior of the building. Whenthe water moves in this manner, it is very difficult to tell where theleak may have originated, as the water can move freely about the uppersurface of the barrier layer until it finds an unidentifiable route tothe interior of the building, which could be several feet, or severalhundred feet from the actual leak.

The penetrating devices of this invention take advantage of the factthat they can operate as a convenient identifiable leak site owing tothe fact that the continuous opening 6 in the screw or bolt, if it islarge enough according to this invention, to overcome the surfacetension of the water, will allow the water to flow down the device andenter the building thus localizing the leak and making detection moreprecise. In other words, the water leaking from the top of the roof willtravel to the barrier layer, but will not have to move very farlaterally over the surface of the barrier layer before it finds aconvenient entry to the interior of the building because the conveniententry is provided by the continuous opening in the device. When thedevices of this invention are laid out on a roof in a known, repetitive,observable, array, the roof repairman knows that the leak from the roofhas to be in or near a certain device, that is, a device that isleaking. The device however will not itself act as a leak for waterentering from the uppermost surface of the roof. It was mentioned suprathat it is also desirable to restrict or limit air from the interior ofthe building into the roof assembly to prevent blow off of the roofassembly due to high winds. This is the reason barrier membranes areincluded in the design of roof assemblys. The devices of this inventionallow limited air through the same continuous opening in the device.Small openings that only allow for the diffusion of air, do not moveenough air to make them practical, thus the amount of opening that thecontinuous opening has is important to restrict the flow of air upwardand to allow water to overcome surface tension effects. In order tobalance the flow of water downward and the flow of air upward, thecontinuous opening should be a nominal minimum of about 1/16 to 1/8 inchin diameter.

If one considers that penetrating devices are normally put on every fivesquare feet of roof, an area of one hundred square feet (1 roofingsquare), would contain up to twenty of the devices of the instantinvention. On the top of the roof, roof vents are installed at aboutevery thirty square, or 3,000 square feet. Assuming the hole in the ventis approximately thirty-six square inches, it can be seen that there isa ratio of thirty-six square inches to 3,000 square feet. If onecompares this to twenty small holes per roofing square, or sixty smallholes per 30,000 square feet, one can determine the relative openingnecessary from the underside of the roof. Assume the hole isapproximately 1/16" × 1/16" in the threads and shank, this provides anarea of 0.004 square inches ×60, or 0.19% compared to the approximate 1%of opening on the topside of the roof. Therefore, the exit holes arelarger than the entrance holes. As indicated earlier, diffusion is notthe mechanism that will transfer the water in or out. Ventilation is themore important driving force. The roof assembly is constructed so thequantity of air that leaves the roof cross-section to the exterior isgreater than the quantity that enters from the interior of the building.

Thus, when the devices of the instant invention are set up in a logicalpattern on the roof surface, the detection of leaks is very easy,efficient and economical and a flow of air to the outside is maintainedwithout building up pressure in the membrane assembly.

An additional benefit of the piercing type of device of the instantinvention is that by allowing the water to flow through to the interior,the water does not build up undetected around the metal device and thuscause corrosion and deterioration of the device and/or the metal deck.Further, because the penetrating devices of this invention allow the airfrom the interior to flow out of the interior of the building to theoutside, there is a drying effect for any residual water on or near thedevice.

These and other important objects will become evident to those skilledin the art by the reading and understanding of the instant specificationand claims.

That which is claimed is:
 1. A method of localizing leaks in a roofassembly having a roof with at least one vapor barrier and a roof decksupporting said roof, said vapor barrier having an upper surface, themethod comprising placing a penetrating device through the roof assemblysuch that the penetrating device breaches a roof deck, said devicehaving an elongated shank at top end and a lower end and at least oneopening in the shank, said opening extending continuously from the topend of the device through the lower end of the device such that thedevice allows limited amounts of water to pass downwardly from the uppersurface of the vapor barrier while providing a passage for a limitedamount of air to the upper surface of the vapor barrier.
 2. A method oflocalizing leaks in a roof assembly having a roof with at least onevapor barrier and a roof deck supporting said roof, said vapor barrierhaving an upper surface, the method comprising placing a penetratingdevice through the roof assembly such that the penetrating devicebreaches said roof deck, said device having an elongated shank at topend and a lower end and at least one opening in the shank, said openingextending continuously from a point short of the top of the devicethrough the lower end of the device such that the device allows limitedamounts of water to pass downwardly from the upper surface of the vaporbarrier while providing a passage for a limited amount of air to theupper surface of the vapor barrier.
 3. A method of manufacturingmultiple layered roofs having leak detection capabilities, the methodcomprising the steps of(I) providing a roof support means; (II)surmounting the roof support means with a roof deck; (III) providing aroof system containing at least one vapor barrier having an uppersurface by(a) surmounting the roof deck with a water impermeablemembrane, said membrane having a generally flat surface coextensive withthe roof deck and, a layer of thermal insulation; (IV) securing the roofsystem to the roof deck utilizing penetrating devices that breach theroof deck, including at least one penetrating device having an elongatedshank and a top end and a lower end and at least one opening in theshank, said opening extending continuously from the top end of thedevice through the lower end of the device such that the device allowslimited amounts of water to pass downwardly form the upper surface ofthe vapor barrier while providing a passage for a limited amount of airto the upper surface of the vapor barrier.
 4. A method of leak detectionin a roof, the method comprising observing the presence or absence ofwater on the underside of a roof deck that has been manufacturedessentially by the method of claim
 3. 5. A method of manufacturingmultiple layered roofs having leak detection capabilities, the methodcomprising the steps of(I) providing a roof support means; (II)surmounting the roof support means with a roof deck; (III) providing aroof system containing at least one vapor barrier having an uppersurface by(a) surmounting the roof deck with a water impermeablemembrane, said membrane having a generally flat surface coextensive withthe roof deck and, a layer of thermal insulation; (IV) securing the roofsystem to the roof deck utilizing penetrating devices that breach theroof deck, including at least one penetrating device having an elongatedshank and a top end and a lower end and at least one opening in theshank, said opening extending continuously from a point short of the topof the device through the lower end of the device such that the deviceallows limited amounts of water to pass downwardly form the uppersurface of the vapor barrier while providing a passage for a limitedamount of air to the upper surface of the vapor barrier.
 6. A method ofleak detection in a roof, the method comprising observing the presenceor absence of water on the underside of a roof deck that has beenmanufactured essentially by the method of claim
 5. 7. A method ofrepairing roofs comprising overlaying an existing roof with a new roofassembly having at least one vapor barrier wherein said vapor barrierhaving an upper surface, said roof being supported by a roof deck themethod comprising placing a penetrating device through the roof assemblysuch that the penetrating device breaches said roof deck, said devicehaving an elongated shank and opposite ends and at least one opening inthe shank, said opening extending continuously form one end of the shankthrough the other end of the shank such that the device allows limitedamounts of water to pass downwardly from the upper surface of the vaporbarrier while providing a passage for a limited amount of air to theupper surface of the vapor barrier.
 8. A method of repairing roofscomprising overlaying an existing roof with a new roof assembly havingat least one vapor barrier wherein said vapor barrier having an uppersurface, said roof being supported by a roof deck the method comprisingplacing a penetrating device through the roof assembly such that thepenetrating device breaches said roof deck, said device having anelongated shank, said shank having a top end and a piercing lower end,and at least one opening in the shank, said opening extendingcontinuously form the piercing lower end to a point short of the top endsuch that the device allows limited amounts of water to pass downwardlyfrom the upper surface of the vapor barrier while providing a passagefor a limited amount of air to the upper surface of the vapor barrier.